Fire-escape.



.Nf 745,876." Patented use. |6- i902 w. n. nuP'P. FIBE ESCAPE.

(Application led May 17,'1992.)

(nu Manel.)

TH: Nomine percus cs. Hsin-uma. WASHINGTUN. n. cY

VILLIAM D. RUPP, OF MARION, INDIANA.

FIRE-ESCAPE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters vPatent No. 715,876, dated December 16, 1902.

i' Application filed May 17, 1902. stanno. 107,839. (remodel.) A

f'o a/ZZ whom t puny concern:

Beit known that I,W1LLIAMD.RU1 P,a citizen of the United States, residing at Marion, in the county of Grant and State of Indiana, have invented a newand useful Fire-Escape, of which the following is a specification. l

This invention relates to devices employed by persons in escaping from burning buildings, and has for its object the production of a device simple in construction, easily operated, and controlled by the persons using it, so that they can regulate the descent and avoid danger of falling.

The invention consists in certain novel features of the construction,as hereinafter shown and described, and specified in the claims.

In the drawings illustrative of the invention, Figure 1 is a vertical sectional elevation. Fig. 2 is a rear elevation. Fig. 3 is a transverse section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of a window-casing, illustrating the manner in which the device is suspended therefrom.

The device consists of an oblong casing or frame 10, having recesses in the ends and a connecting recess or opening centrally on one side, whereby a cavity is formed for the insertion of the cable or rope. The end cavities are designated at 10a 10b, the intersecting longitudinal recess or cavity at 10C, and the cable or rope at 11.

Within the casing 10 at intervals are inserted Wings or plates 12, each Wing having journals 13 on one side engaging bearings in the casing 10 and adapted to be projected across the casing, as shown in Fig. 1,' the blades being arranged alternately on opposite sides of the casing, so that when projected inward, as shown in Fig. 1, their inner or free edges 12 will overlap and engage the rope or cable and cause it to assume a zigzag course through the casing, as shown.

The plates 12 when moved downward into a vertical position with reference to the casing will not engage the rope or cable, leaving the latter free to move through the casing or the casing to move freely'upon the rope.

The plates 12 are adapted to be adjusted to any extent, so as to press with greater or lesser force against the cable, or to press the rope toa greater or lesser degree out of the vertical line, and thus correspondingly increase or decrease the friction upon the rope. It will thus be readily understood that if the plates 12 be turned to a horizontal position, as shown in Fig. 1, the friction will be so great as to entirely check the motion of the casing 10 upon the rope and form a practically positive grip-brake thereon, and by adjusting the plates at intermediate points this movement may be perfectly controlled .and the speed of the descending operator correspondingly regulated.

The rear side of the casing 10 is provided with segmental slots 14, concentric with the pivots 13 of the plates 12, and each plate will be provided with stud 13, projecting through one of these segmental slots, as shown in Figs. 2 and All of the studs 13ad of the plates 12 bn one side will be connected by a bar 15 outside the casing, while all the studs 13a of the plates l2 on the opposite side of the casing will be likewise connected bya bar 15a, so that all of the plates on each side may be moved in concert, as will be readily understood by reference to Fig. 2.

Attached to the casing 10 near the top is a lever-arm 16, pivoted to the casing 10 at 16a and connecting the upper opposite pair of the studs 13 and bars 15 and 15:L by rods 17 and 17a, as shown. By moving the lower end of the lever outward the bars 15 15, with their connected plates 12,will be moved downward, and by this means the degree of tension exerted upon the cable by the plates 12 may be perfectly controlled.

Attached to the bottom of the casing are loops 18 18, affording means for the attachment of the supporting-harness 19, as shown in Fig. 4. This supporting-harness may be of any suitable form and may be provided with transverse straps or ropes, by which the person using it may be securely fastened in place.

The longitudinal recess 10C will be provided with a hinged door or closure 20, suitably fastened by detachable hooks or catches 40, as indicated in Fig. 3.

Depending from the lower recess 10b is a flexible sleeve 21, divided longitudinally at 21 and with an enlarged upper end 21", by which it is supported -in the casing, as shown in Fig. 1. This sleeve embraces the rope 11,

adjacent to the lower end of the casing, and

IOO

provides a hand-grip for the operator and protects his hand While sliding down the rope. The sleeve will preferably be made of rubber or other yieldable material, so that it can be readily opened out and placed around the rope and also to enable it to be compressed upon the rope by the hand of the operator when descending to assist him in steadying himself and as a resistant to any lateral movement of the rope when operating the lever 16.

When the device is employed in connection with buildings, a bracket (represented at 22) will be attached to the window-casing (represented at 23) and extend outward and provided With a forked end 22 to support the rope 1l outward away from the building, so that the person descending will not strike any obstructions o1' projections of the building.

In using the apparatus the upper end of the rope will be securely fastened at some point within the room adjacent to the Window to which the bracket 22 Will be attached. The rope will be placed over the forked end 22 of the bracket, with the casing 10 below the bracket, and the lever 16 pressed inward so as to force the plates 12 into a transverse position With relation to the casing, as shown in Fig. 1, which will grip the casing so tightly upon the rope that the weight of the person when supported in the sling 19 will not move it. After the person is in position in the sling he can perfectly control his descent by means of the lever 16, as before mentioned, the hand-grip 21 greatly assisting in the operation, as it enables the operator to steady the device and assist the operation of the lever, as above noted.

The device may be made of any size to fit any sized rope and may be employed in all localities where required. It can be made small enough to be carried in valises or trunks of travelers or supported from hooks in the rooms of hotels, factories, or other buildings. Its simplicity of construction and ease of operation and perfect safety will render it operative under all circumstances, even by the most timid and excited persons.

The device may be modified in minor particulars without departing from the principle of the invention or sacrificing any of the advantages.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim isl. A fire-escape comprising a casing having a longitudinal recess adapted to receive the cable, clamp-plates pivotally disposed alternately at the sides of said casing, and means for moving said clamp-plates into the path of the rope, whereby the rope is caused to assume a zigzag course through the casing, substantially as set forth.

2. A fire-escape comprising a casing having a longitudinal recess adapted to receive the rope, clamp-plates pivoted alternately at opposite sides of the casing, means for moving the said clamp-plates into the path of the rope, and a hinged door forming a closure to said recess, substantially as set forth.

3. A fire-escape comprising a casing having a longitudinal recess adapted to receive the rope, plates movably disposed Within said casing and adapted to be projected alternately across the path of the rope, and means for operating the said plates, substantially as set forth.

4. A fire-escape comprising a casing having a longitudinal recess adapted to receive the cable, clamp-plates pivoted alternately at opposite sides of the casing, segmental apertures inthe casing concentric with the pivots of said plates, studs extending from said plates through said apertures, connectingbars engaging said studs, and a lever-arm connected to operate said bars, whereby said plates are caused to be forcibly projected across the path of said rope within said casing, substantially as set forth.

5. A fire-escape comprising a casing having a longitudinal recess adapted to receive the cable, clamp-plates pivoted alternately at opposite sides of the casing, bars connecting the free edges of said plates, and a lever-arm carried by said casing and connected to said bars, whereby said plates are caused to be forcibly projected across the path of said rope Within said casing, substantially as set forth.

6. A fire-escape comprising a easing having a cable therethrough, and With a series of clamp-plates pivotally disposed Within the casing, and means operative outside the casing for causing the plates to engage the cable and deflect it out of the perpendicular, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

WILLIAM D. RUPP.

Witnesses:

SAMUEL B. BEsHoRE, JAMES M. HARRIS.

IOO 

